Space photonics: Disruptive satellite laser communications and astrophotonics
During this year’s Optical Fiber Communications Conference, we organized a panel on space photonics and astrophotonics, held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
Panel description
Photonics is expected to play a key role in space applications as optics and fiber-optics penetrates into satellite payloads and photonic components and subsystems become integral functional parts of telecommunication, on-board signal distribution and/or remote sensing instrumentation.
The FCC has received more than 15 applications for constellations with several confirmed inter-satellite link designs relying on laser communications. On the other hand, space instrument science increasingly uses optics and photonics (e.g. fiber-based instruments) for Earth observation and astronomical exploration with operational requirements in extreme environments.
The panel discussed the technology development requirements, qualification deltas, cost targets and ground-based infrastructure required for volume manufacturing and/or integration of space photonic hardware. The panelsts also analyzed the challenges in designing and developing new generation of photonic instruments.
Organizers
- Stratos Kehayas, G&H
- Sergio Leon-Saval, University of Sydney, Australia
Speakers
- Stratos Kehayas, G&H
Panel Introduction: Setting the scene (PDF) - Morio Toyoshima, NICT, Japan
Space Photonics: Trends, Applications and Societal Impact (PDF) - Don Cornwell, NASA-HQ, USA
Laser Communications and Astrophysics in 2030 (PDF) - Rizwan Parvez, BRIDGESAT, USA
Building High-speed Data Links from Space to Ground (PDF) - John Schuster, LEOSAT, Netherlands
Optical Networks in the Sky (PDF) - Paul Serra, MIT, USA
Miniaturizing Laser Terminals (PDF) - Klaus Buchheim, Thales Alenia Space, Switzerland
Laser Terminals for the Masses (PDF) - Melanie Ott, NASA-GSFC, USA
Developing and Qualifying Space Hardware (PDF)